One of my friends requested I write a part two for The Runner, so here it finally is!
click here for a link to the first runner!
The Runner part 2
The next morning I was finishing my breakfast when newt walked up to me.
"So shank, you coming along?" He smiled at me.
"Yeah, just let me drop my plate off," I stood on my crutches and tried to hobble to the kitchen with my plate. After Almost dropping it, Newt ran up behind me.
"Here, let me do it," he took the plate from me and smiled again, "so, basically we just have to go around checking up on all the keepers, making sure everything's running smoothly. Frypan is the first stop so come on!" I followed Newt into the kitchen and over to Frypan, my old keeper. They started talking and I looked around the kitchen. It still had that sense of busyness it always had, as people rushed around carrying dishes and food. I felt weird being back, after having left to be a runner. Suddenly Newt was walking out the door.
"Ok, so now we'll go talk to Winston then Zart." I ran after him, trying to keep up on my crutches and I stumbled.
"Oh, sorry Jen!" He slowed down and walked next to me.
"Alright, so what do we need to talk to them about?" I asked.
"Not much, just check in with how the animals and crops are doing." We arrived at the blood house and went inside. The smell was overwhelming, and I hoped we wouldn't be there long. Newt and Winston talked for a while until it was time to move on. It went on like this for two more keepers until lunch time. Sure, it wasn't my favorite thing to do all day, but better than doing nothing. Newt carried our lunches over to a tree and sat down.
"So, how is it being me?" He laughed taking a big bite out of his sandwich.
"Well, it's definitely a lot of work. Do you have to do this every day?" I replied.
"No, only at the start of the week, Alby just likes to keep things organized. There is a lot of walking about though, how are you doing?" Newt asked.
"I'm ok I guess, just ready to get this cast off. Um... If you don't mind me asking, what Happened to you, in the maze?" Newt’s eyes looked distant and he talked as if reliving the past.
"Not all days were as organized and nice as they are now. We had dark days, and I couldn't see the light at the end. I used to be a runner, you know. And one night I just couldn't take it any more. Alby found me in the maze, he had to drag me back to the glade before the doors closed. Now I'm stuck with this bloody limp, a constant reminder..." Tears moistened Newt's eyes as he looked at me. "When Minho told me, you were hurt, Jenny..." He took in a big shaky breath as a tear rolled down his cheek. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into a hug, I had no idea how he had felt about me before. Newt pulled away and his breathing had calmed, but his face was dark red with embarrassment.
"It's ok, Newt," I had no idea what else to say, or even how I really felt about Newt. It was overwhelmingly sweet how much he cared about me, and us hanging out was nice, but did I really have feelings for him? The air became awkward between us and we ate the rest of our lunch in silence.
"I should get back to it. You don't have to come if you don't want." Newt stood and brushed the crumbs from his shirt.
"No," I shook my head, "I'd love to come," Newt smiled and helped me up.
"Alrighty then!" Newt walked beside me, and I was fairly certain that if I had not been holding crouches he would have tried to hold my hand.
Finally it was dinner time. It had been a long day of walking around the whole glade, and I was ready to sit down and eat something.
"Well, thanks for coming along with me today," Newt nodded at me and turned away before I could say anything. I felt special that he had told me about his limp, not many of the gladers knew about what happened and now I was one of them. I couldn't stop thinking about how Newt had broken down when he talked about worrying over me, it seemed so surreal that he felt that way. The more I'm around Newt the more I like him. As far as dates go in the glade, and especially with someone as busy as Newt was, today was a pretty good one.
Well what do you think? Comment your thoughts! I also would take requests if you have any! just leave a comment or email me at fangirlandco@gmail.com, I'm dying to talk to you guys!